I think it was about 2 years ago I made a decision to cancel our cable TV.  It wasn’t a financial decision, but one that I thought was a good  move to get the awful horrible media out of our home (the grown up shows my husband and I were watching, thinking the kids weren’t paying attention, but they were).  At the time, it was a decent idea.

About 3 days in, we all missed TV and, to be honest, we were BORED!  So, we got a little antenna for the top of the entertainment center, to pick up the news, which was important to my husband.  After that he discovered that if we bought a big one for the roof we could pick up several more channels.

Then 10 months ago I reactivated our Netflix subscription (we used it 4 years ago and liked it).

For about $10 a month we could watch movies/TV episodes instantly on our TV (through our Wii)  and set up my laptop in the bedroom for the kids to watch a movie.  Cheap entertainment.

CHEAP!  Not inexpensive, but CHEAP (which to me, is kind of the same as saying crap).

I just figured out that in 10 months we’ve had 45 DVD’s mailed to us, and watched OVER 350 TITLES INSTANTLY!

#$%$#%#$^

So, yes, it is inexpensive.  $100 in fees / 400+ movies = A quarter (or less) for each show.

What a disaster this has been.  We’re watching more TV than ever, even though we’re getting it at a good price.

I feel so stupid that I let it get this out of control.  And stupid that I didn’t really FIX the bad habit, I just CHANGED it.

I’ve begged my husband to let me take the TV out of the living room.  I know this is very ‘unamerican’.  But it’s something I so deeply desire.

It’s my wish that by the end of 2011 (but really, sooner would be better), we’ll have our basement completed enough that we can put our entertainment center, TV, and all video games down there.

It’s not that we watch anything that is really terrible, is just that there is so many other things we could be doing with our lives than watching shows we aren’t really interested in, just because it’s available.

Just like a cookie-  Just because it’s there, doesn’t mean we should eat it.  Just because the shows are available, doesn’t mean we should watch it.

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For those of you who are thinking of cancelling cable to save money, here is our financial break down-
Cable was $40 a month, so if we had paid that for 2 years it would’ve been $960
We spent $50 on a little antenna, and $200 on a great one.

$960-$250=$710 in savings

Minus say, 1 year of Netflix, $120
Means in 2 years, we’ve still saved $590.. which is a great savings.  It just didn’t accomplish what I had first set my sights on, which was controlling the media in our home.

This is what is on my mind:
Intentional Parenting–  Not just letting each day slip by, and giving in to whatever makes our kids happy, but intentionally parenting our children.  Training them to be well disciplined.  This is a new experience for me, and let me tell you, it is H.A.R.D!  Especially after so many years of not doing this.

Homeschool-I don’t know if this is right for our family or not.  But it’s something My husband and I are praying deeply about.  It would mean a total lifestyle change, but may be worth it for our children.  Especially my daughter.  I went to public school, I don’t see it as a terrible thing.  But I think a home school environment would be less distracting and give me more time with my children.  I feel like 18 years having them home is just too short, I don’t want to miss more than I have to.  There are so many pros and cons to this.

Decluttering- I spent about 30 minutes in the kitchen yesterday filling paper grocery sacks with things I don’t use, or don’t want to use anymore.  Today I took an hour to have a paper shredding party with the little prince.  I organized my husband’s night stand.  I think it looks MUCH better, and I hope he appreciates what I’ve done.

Food–  I’m thinking of what to have for lunch, and what to make for dinner.  Wednesday is our busy day.  Thankfully I made a Turkey earlier this week, and the whole family likes it!  I’ll have some for lunch, set some aside for dinner, then put the rest of it in bags to freeze and use later.
Anyone have a favorite turkey recipe?  I have another frozen turkey in the basement freezer.

The second change we’ve made over the past few years is our food.  I used to get so excited over a sale on hamburger helper.  Then when I found Wal-Mart had their own brand of it for cheaper I thought I was the luckiest gal in the world!  Until I realized the luckiest gal in the world wouldn’t be excited over the ingredient list on that package!  Even though we are still transforming we have come along way.  For 2011 the changes we’ll be making will be slow, and come in phases.  For the first quarter of the year I have decided we will not purchase the following things:

Granola Bars–
My husband loves these and eats one every day for breakfast. The kids also love them, and I find them to be a quick snack for myself as well.  In short, that is why we won’t be purchasing them.  They are not so terribly awful that I will never consume one again, but I am hoping to avoid the high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial sweeteners.

Cakes–
I love baking, but for some reason when a birthday rolls around I’m the first to say “lets go pick out your cake”.  Store bought cakes will be taken off the list.  This will be super easy, since none of us have a birthday in the first quarter of the year anyway.  Man, I do love making a list that I can tackle easily!

Packaged pasta–  This one may be a big mistake.  I really have only made pasta noodles once, but I feel confident that I can do it again.

Bottled water-This is a true sacrifice for me.  We’ll see how this goes.  Without bottled water I drink less than a glass a  week.  I’m hopeful that I can make this change work.  Oh & I know water isn’t unhealthy, but the plastic bottle it comes in IS.

Soda-We’re pretty well stocked up right now, but if we run out before March 31st, we will get by without it.  My husband drinks a can a day.  I love him so very much and I know that this is something that will benefit him.  So I’ll put up with whatever crap lines he gives me as to why he NEEDS soda and how its’ actually healthy to have just one can a day…  moving on…

Fruit Snacks-  you know, the gummy little things in a package.  We have a couple boxes open right now, and a few in the pantry.  These things aren’t even real fruit!  They have been a snack time staple in this house.  The youngest child here whines and cries for them and doesn’t ever stop with just one package.  I usually feel like if I get one out for him I might as well have one too.  Then I’m in pain because the sugar crapola is stuck to my teeth and I wish I never heard of the things.

Suckers-Maybe if there is a great deal on organic suckers again.  Otherwise NO SUCKERS!  I don’t care how cheap they are, or if my princess is offering to use her own money, no suckers!

Pancakes- I’m just going to have to figure out how to make pancakes on my own, using ingredients that I know.  Like Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, milk, egg & butter.  Wow, even typing that was easy, I bet making them will be just as simple!

A week ago I was actually having dreams about planting our garden and all of the wonderful vegetables we’ll harvest.   Each year I am learning so much more and I feel like this year is going to be a great year for our garden!